Need Advice for CC

Hello fellow milepointers! I'm new to the forum here and wanted to get some advice for a credit card that would help maximize points on an air carrier. I've done some homework and have realized that a fee-based card is probably not for me, so I'm looking for a recommendation that would take this into account unless any of you have a compelling case proving otherwise. From the looks of it I think the chase sapphire (non preferred card) would be my best bet but I'm open to any other recommendations.

Here are some key facts/constraints:

Looking to spend up to $1200 on the card per month

Will be making domestic round trips at least once a month

DO NOT want to amass miles on AA (bad experience)

Most places around me do not accept AMEX so the SPG card would be out of the question.

Really want a card that gives me access to international destinations even though i love Southwest

Chase may be announcing a special offer on a UA card in the coming days. I dont know the exact details, but it is rumored to be an excellent offer. Personally I use AMEX and MR, but if you're looking for something non AMEX, lurk around here around october 4-6. Thats when details/promo are expected to potentially be launched.

Welcome to MilePoint. Please let us know where you are based. You don't want to accumulate miles on an airline that doesn't have much service where you are.

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I'm based here in California and every major carrier services my region...

744 said:

Chase may be announcing a special offer on a UA card in the coming days. I dont know the exact details, but it is rumored to be an excellent offer. Personally I use AMEX and MR, but if you're looking for something non AMEX, lurk around here around october 4-6. Thats when details/promo are expected to potentially be launched.

Hello fellow milepointers! I'm new to the forum here and wanted to get some advice for a credit card that would help maximize points on an air carrier. I've done some homework and have realized that a fee-based card is probably not for me, so I'm looking for a recommendation that would take this into account unless any of you have a compelling case proving otherwise. From the looks of it I think the chase sapphire (non preferred card) would be my best bet but I'm open to any other recommendations.

Here are some key facts/constraints:

Looking to spend up to $1200 on the card per month

Will be making domestic round trips at least once a month

DO NOT want to amass miles on AA (bad experience)

Most places around me do not accept AMEX so the SPG card would be out of the question.

Really want a card that gives me access to international destinations even though i love Southwest

Any ideas are welcome!

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Welcome to MP!

What airline do you plan to fly monthly? That may help in providing information regarding recommendations.

Initial thoughts are to look at UA's card programs since SFO is a major UA hub. With certain promo's you are entitled to elite boarding and security benefits, better luggage allowances and also in some cases are given a limited amount of passes to the red carpet club. The down side is that you and everyone else in SFO is going to be primarily a UA flyer and there will be thousands who "out-elite" you. But if its miles you are looking for, then a UA card would seem to be a leading contentder. especially since you get bonus points/miles for buying UA tix with a UA card.
I know you mentioned you were not a fan of a fee based card, but I would suggest to keep an open and analytic mind, to determine if the benefits of the card outweigh the cost.

If you play your flights right, with the right kind of segments, etc. you can probably work toward Premier Silver or Gold quite easily and get addtl benefits like bonus miles etc.

Initial thoughts are to look at UA's card programs since SFO is a major UA hub. With certain promo's you are entitled to elite boarding and security benefits, better luggage allowances and also in some cases are given a limited amount of passes to the red carpet club. The down side is that you and everyone else in SFO is going to be primarily a UA flyer and there will be thousands who "out-elite" you. But if its miles you are looking for, then a UA card would seem to be a leading contentder. especially since you get bonus points/miles for buying UA tix with a UA card.
I know you mentioned you were not a fan of a fee based card, but I would suggest to keep an open and analytic mind, to determine if the benefits of the card outweigh the cost.

If you play your flights right, with the right kind of segments, etc. you can probably work toward Premier Silver or Gold quite easily and get addtl benefits like bonus miles etc.

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UA was my initial thought too, but wasn't sure if OP had an airline in mind, other than no AA.

If redeeming miles for international destinations is one of the criteria, then the Star Alliance offers the best options.

Thanks for all the input guys! What are your thoughts generally about the Chase Sapphire program vs. the carrier specific cards?​

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The carrier specific cards give you more carrier perks like some lounge passes, baggage, priority boarding etc. So if you can be a one alliance type of flyer, then I would think a carrier card works best. If you dont have a sense of an alliance loyalty then the sapphire or a capital one card may be a better option, you'll just not get any substantial airline perks.

The carrier specific cards give you more carrier perks like some lounge passes, baggage, priority boarding etc. So if you can be a one alliance type of flyer, then I would think a carrier card works best. If you dont have a sense of an alliance loyalty then the sapphire or a capital one card may be a better option, you'll just not get any substantial airline perks.

I think Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great option here - you'll hit the $3k threshold for the 50k point bonus easily, and you can transfer those into Continental and United (for Star Alliance), British Airways (for OneWorld), or Korean (for use on Delta, Air France, KLM and other Skyteam). You're pretty well covered there. Or exchange the 50k miles for $625 in purchased travel. Yes, it's $95 after the first year, but if you're not finding any value in the card then just cancel it. But for an everyday earning card it's great, especially since you're getting double points for travel spend and there's no foreign transaction fee.

True, you are giving up free checked bags and early boarding that you get with many airline cards. However, on Star Alliance that is easily achieved by flying 3,000 miles on any Star carrier (United, Continental & US Airways in the United States) and crediting the miles to Aegean Airlines' frequent flyer program (you get 1,000 miles for signing up.) You'll earn "blue" status on Aegean after amassing 4,000 miles in 1 year, which gets you Silver status on Star Alliance. That'll get you early boarding and free checked bags for the year.

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